Page 117 of Traitor Witch

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I pretend I'm oblivious, dunking my head under the water until I'm completely submerged.

When I surface, Val is still knocking.

"Witch! Open up."

I ignore him, tipping more of the colourful salts the twins got me into the tub until the water is a pale purple that obscures my body.

Three. Two. One.

Val flings the door open and storms into the room. From his position, he can see my head and a generous portion of my breasts.

"Wit—"

Whatever Val was going to say trails off. His jaw hangs open. There's a very male appreciation in the depths of his gaze that shouldn't please me as much as it does.

"Can I help you?" I don't manage to keep the bite out of my tone as I raise a single brow.

He manages to close his jaw just as Rysen comes up behind him.

The huge vampire takes one look at the situation and grabs Valorean, throwing him over his shoulder with a mumbled, "Please, forgive us, Lady Solar."

Val's anguished, "Put me down!" echoes through the closing door. "She's still a suspect!"

“She'sbathing," Rysen growls.

I barely manage to hold in my snort of amusement until the door is shut.

But it dies pretty quickly as my mind flashes back to what I found in those barrels.

They can't be responsible...can they?

It's not like I can ask any of them.

Or maybe...maybe I can.

Chapter Thirty

NOSTER

I've heard this part of the book before.

Any moment now.

Yup. There's Nilsa's scent. Lingering by the door.

I carefully slide down my page marker, remove the wire-and-crystal loop that Val made for me from around my ear and place it on top of the book, and wait.

"Nos?"

"Come in." Does my voice really sound that hoarse?

The door swings open, and her scent floods our cabin properly.

There's caution mixed in with the sweetness this time. Caution, guilt, and a tiny pinch of regret.

And covering it all, a sheen of moisture.

Like she's just bathed.

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